Creative and Professional Writing BA (Hons)

Canterbury Christ Church University

If you love words and want to work with them, this is the course for you. We will help you to develop your own creative practice and distinctive voice.

During the course you’ll dive into creative forms such as fiction, poetry, drama and game narratives. You’ll gain the essential skills for good writing: control of language, precision, imagination and a deep understanding of the context in which you write.

Great writers are great readers, and this course is underpinned by a thorough grounding in the literature and ideas that have shaped the contemporary writing scene. In addition to discussing texts in class, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a range of author talks and readings, offering you contact with exciting writers and other industry professionals who will help to inspire your career plans.

You’ll study commercial writing, such newspapers, magazines and broadcast media, and learn about marketing techniques, to help you present your best face to employers and the publishing industry. Writing in a variety of styles, voices, and genres, you’ll hone your skills and explore the rich world of writing, tutored by professional writers with a deep knowledge of their craft.

Sessions are largely workshop based, with presentations and discussions stemming directly from your own work. We believe that what makes us truly special is our small, friendly team, meaning we can get to know you as an individual and support you every step of the way through personal tutoring.

During the course, you'll learn the skills and techniques required to write poetry, prose fiction, nonfiction (including journalism and memoir) and drama for the stage and screen. You'll also develop an understanding of the online world through topics such as social media use and digital design, and you'll have opportunities to share your work and to perform at group readings.

Top reasons to study with us

• You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to or even edit our student Creative Writing magazine and perform at live literature events.
• Top 5 in the UK for graduate prospects in the subject area of Creative Writing. Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2023.
• You’ll be taught by a specialist team of authors, playwrights, and industry professionals, all with current, real-world experience.
• We take the ‘professional’ part of our name very seriously offering focused learning on topics such as marketing, copywriting and editing.

Location

This course is run at our Canterbury Campus in Kent. Canterbury is just 50 miles south-east of London and less than an hour by high-speed train from St Pancras. Located on a UNESCO World Heritage Site the campus offers state-of-the-art buildings, right in the centre of a vibrant and world-famous cathedral city. You’ll benefit from a campus with excellent learning and teaching resources, music venues, a superb sports centre, a well-stocked bookshop and plenty of coffee bars and places to eat. A short walk away is Augustine House our award-winning library and home to a vast range of learning resources and student support teams.